Clärchens Ballhaus

Having survived two world wars, it's little wonder the weight of history is visible in this shabby east Berlin landmark. Initially opened in 1913, Clärchens Ballhaus has been frequented by ballroom-dancing Berliners during widely differing eras. Nowadays, it welcomes an entertaining mix of young internationals and ageing regulars who seem to mesh perfectly. Elderly couples waltz the night away while a younger crowd hangs out at the tables alongside the dancefloor. Many of the bar staff and coat clerks look as weathered as the wood panels on the ballroom, but you can't help feeling their wrinkles were probably formed through years of smiling in a unique cabaret atmosphere.•Auguststrasse 24, Mitte, +49 30 282 9295, ballhaus.de. Mon-Sun 10am-open end

Bassy

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Bassy presents itself as a hot-rod dealing, rock'n'roll wheeling "cowboy" club, but that sells it a little short – the club actually hosts a range of urban performance, from the seductive to the transgressive. Regular shows include the glamorous and playful burlesque of Pinky's Peepshow and the legendary 2am Chantal's House of Shame, presided over by the magnificent Chantal, a German transsexual mistress of the night.• Schönhauser Allee 176, Mitte, +49 30 3744 8020, bassy-club.de. Pinky's Peepshow, most Wednesdays (check calendar) 9pm. Chantal's House of Shame, every Thursday 11pm

Monster Ronson's

Monster Ronson's Ichiban Karaoke is a stalwart of Berlin's nightlife, but karaoke isn't its only speciality. Surrounded by private booths adorned with pictures of dead rock stars, the main stage has always been open for an interesting spectacle. Ronson's has been doing its thing in Berlin since 1999 and knows a thing or two about putting on or picking a good show – nights ranging from cabaret parties to barnyard-themed shows have been tempting some of Berlin's most outrageous personalities to the stage for years. While you're there, take a break in the smoking lounge and worship at the "phases of Cher" poster presiding over the room.• Warschauer Strasse 34, Friedrichshain, +49 30 8975 1327, karaokemonster.de. Mon 7pm-5am, Tue-Thurs 7pm-3.30am, Fri-Sat 7pm-6am, Sun 7pm-4am

Galerie Studio St. St.

Photograph: Alejandro Bernal Alejandro Bernal /Public Domain

A small space on a somewhat quiet side street off bustling Kottbusser Damm, the paintings of local artist Stefan Stricker are dotted around his studio, evoking a kind of carefree, lively and joyous Berlin with the right touch of decadence. They provide an appropriate backdrop for Jewelia and guests, who put on a show, self-described as "theatre and chansons, travesty and cabaret" every Friday and Saturday night, no matter the size of the crowd.• Sanderstrasse 26, Neukölln, cafe3000.de. Gallery Tue 4pm-7pm, shows and lounge Fri and Sat 7pm-12pm

Salon – Zur wilden Renate

Each Wednesday, readings by the flamboyant Andreas Schwarz and his partner Thomas Götz von Aust are accompanied by handpicked authors of all varieties, occasionally punctuated by performance or burlesque. High-minded voyeurs would be as likely to catch an aristocratic striptease accompanying readings of the Marquis de Sade as they would readings by journalists informing the crowd about the practices of "healthy partying". The readings are in German at the moment, but an English programme is in the works.• Alt Stralau 70, no phone, email renate@renate.cc, renate.cc. Check online calendar for events and times

Dock 11

Photograph: Alexander Nussbaumer Alexander Nussbaumer/PR

To see how Berlin stacks up to the rest of the world when it comes to contemporary dance, Kastanienallee's Dock 11 in Prenzlauer Berg is a hotspot for those interested in the art of dance. Modern dance is set in a decidedly unmodern setting, occupying one of the few ungentrified buildings in the formerly hip neighbourhood. It stages nearly 300 shows a year, such as Berlin's own Nir de Volff and his company's take on ritualised social events, or the venue's tanz.tausch fest with Morgan Nardi's A one m(org)an show.• Kastanienallee 79, Prenzlauer Berg, +49 30 448 1222, dock11-berlin.de. Check online for performance times and line-ups

Ida Nowhere

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When Ida Nowhere opened two years ago, the space would have seemed to exist in the middle of nowhere. But with Neukölln's rapid rise to hip hoodland Ida Nowhere is now very much somewhere. The interior looks like an extended living room with a bar, and everything is paid for through donation. Eating dinner on a suitcase-turned-table while watching performances, quiet(er) live music or readings is a relaxing way to stay off the radar on a Saturday night. Performances can be satirical and fun, such as the "Luxury Beauty Salon" staged for the "48 Hours in Neukölln festival", in which common kitchen foods were turned into eco-beauty aids.• Donaustrasse 79, Neukölln, +49 163 492 1813, ida-nowhere.com. Open Thursday for "Stammtisch" and Saturday for performances (closed in August for summer break)

Saloon de su Cou Cou

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Lena Braun's gallery on Weserstrasse befits its owner: regal, flamboyant and distinctly German, with a touch of class and trash. "Queen Barbie" has been visible in Berlin in one way or another for more than 20 years, and her current project shows no sign of changing what has made her a celebrity in a town overrun with artists. The multifunctional space is utilised as a gallery, performance space, cinema and sometime party spot as well. The website can be sorely out of date, so you'll have to find out the old-fashioned way what is happening each night – pay it a visit and ask. • Weserstrasse 202, +49 30 8964 3139, sudecoucou.net. Mon-Fri 2pm-7pm, performance and exhibition times vary

Cafe Fatal @ SO36

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Famed rock venue SO36 is legendary but outsiders may be surprised to find that it hosts regular club nights as well. Cited as a gay ballroom dancing night on its website, the crowd is actually a mixed bag. A favourite Berlin club of members of the indie-dance band CSS, it's the blend of traditional dance and rugged rock venue that makes this night unique. Foxtrot, salsa, waltzing and more dominate the dancefloor for the first part of the evening and later the tunes switch to 80s, 90s and Schlager. If you're a beginner, the €6 cover also includes a different dance course each week.• Oranienstrasse 190, Kreuzberg, +49 30 6140 1306, so36.de. Every Sunday, dance course 7pm, club 9.30pm